5/12ths of the Way Through
In support of
The Moody Family
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The Moody Family
I’m feeling human again today, and it was lovely to paint watercolor while the sun actually shone through my window—miracle of miracles here in the rainy PNW! I’ve also been reading some poetry a friend sent me back at my diagnosis.
While I haven’t felt too bad this 5th cycle, my endurance is wearing thin. I’m grateful to be nearly halfway there, but the thought of 7 more treatments is rather discouraging. I try to focus on the cycle that I’m on and not think about the long tunnel ahead.
My oncologist said that 6 is the bare minimum of treatments to try for, and my friend, who also had rectal cancer, said studies have shown 8 to be the most helpful. I think each round is to be celebrated that it’s over as I try to keep going for myself and for my family.
Something that has been helping curb side effects is acupuncture. I’m not really a believer in integrated medicine, but on this chemo rollercoaster I will take anything that has even a placebo, let alone actual, effect. Studies have shown acupuncture to be effective, so insurance now covers these treatments, and they are very relaxing!
The needles are as thin and flexible as a kitten’s whisker and have the tiniest of pokes when they are inserted. The naturopath puts them in my scalp, by my ears, in my hands, legs, and feet. Then I rest on the table under heat lamps for thirty minutes where I usually drift off for a short nap.
The treatments seem to help with my nausea and fatigue, and I’m thankful.
My in-laws were in town for this 5th cycle and it was good to have them help around the house. Mom cleaned our gutters, raked our yard, and cleaned the house from top to bottom. Dad replaced the side door in our garage and created an inviting entry way for me. The kids also had many adventures with Grampy as they were off school for snowdays and holidays.
I’m moving at the pace of a 90-year-old these days. Climbing the stairs gets my heart rate up, and I’m short of breath and need to lie down for a bit. The other day, I went with the boys, Stephen, and Dad Moody to Top Golf. I watched from the chair, covered in coats, happy that I made it out of the house. I shuffle around the block with Stephen and am exhausted when I get home.
As hard as it is to parent during cancer treatments, it makes me happy to have so much life happening around me. The boys are snowboarding on Mt. Hood on the weekends, Brynn is my personal barista and art buddy, and Thatcher builds me lego ships to admire next to my bed. These little thriving humans are the best motivation for continuing treatment.
While I haven’t felt too bad this 5th cycle, my endurance is wearing thin. I’m grateful to be nearly halfway there, but the thought of 7 more treatments is rather discouraging. I try to focus on the cycle that I’m on and not think about the long tunnel ahead.
My oncologist said that 6 is the bare minimum of treatments to try for, and my friend, who also had rectal cancer, said studies have shown 8 to be the most helpful. I think each round is to be celebrated that it’s over as I try to keep going for myself and for my family.
Something that has been helping curb side effects is acupuncture. I’m not really a believer in integrated medicine, but on this chemo rollercoaster I will take anything that has even a placebo, let alone actual, effect. Studies have shown acupuncture to be effective, so insurance now covers these treatments, and they are very relaxing!
The needles are as thin and flexible as a kitten’s whisker and have the tiniest of pokes when they are inserted. The naturopath puts them in my scalp, by my ears, in my hands, legs, and feet. Then I rest on the table under heat lamps for thirty minutes where I usually drift off for a short nap.
The treatments seem to help with my nausea and fatigue, and I’m thankful.
My in-laws were in town for this 5th cycle and it was good to have them help around the house. Mom cleaned our gutters, raked our yard, and cleaned the house from top to bottom. Dad replaced the side door in our garage and created an inviting entry way for me. The kids also had many adventures with Grampy as they were off school for snowdays and holidays.
I’m moving at the pace of a 90-year-old these days. Climbing the stairs gets my heart rate up, and I’m short of breath and need to lie down for a bit. The other day, I went with the boys, Stephen, and Dad Moody to Top Golf. I watched from the chair, covered in coats, happy that I made it out of the house. I shuffle around the block with Stephen and am exhausted when I get home.
As hard as it is to parent during cancer treatments, it makes me happy to have so much life happening around me. The boys are snowboarding on Mt. Hood on the weekends, Brynn is my personal barista and art buddy, and Thatcher builds me lego ships to admire next to my bed. These little thriving humans are the best motivation for continuing treatment.
Liz Moody
10 months ago
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